9 Festivals to Shape Your Summer Travels

As summer unfolds in North America, festival season kicks into high gear. While events like Independence Day and Juneteenth are celebrated nationwide, numerous other festivities take place internationally, ranging from unique local events to grand spectacles like the Olympics.

Explore these nine festivals occurring in June, July, and August this year, and infuse your summer relaxation with excitement.

1. Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland

When: August 2–26, 2024

Every August, Scotland’s capital hosts the world’s largest performing arts festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Founded shortly after World War II, this more than three-week extravaganza features thousands of distinctive performances across hundreds of venues. To give you an idea of its magnitude, over 30,000 artists presented 3,841 shows in 2019 alone. This is a prime opportunity to discover new talent: Phoebe Waller-Bridge created her Emmy-winning series, Fleabag, from a one-woman show she debuted here in 2013, and comedy icons like Rowan Atkinson and Graham Norton also started their journeys at this festival. Make sure to check the schedule to plan your visit; while the initial lineup was announced in February, two additional sets of shows will be revealed in April and May.

2. NYC Pride, New York

• When: June 30, 2024

In 1969, the underground queer community in New York City rose up against police during a raid at the Stonewall Inn—then one of the most frequented gay bars in Greenwich Village. This incident marked a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history, leading to the first Gay Pride March in 1970. To honor the 55th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, the city will unveil a national monument visitor center this summer and will host the Pride March on June 30. This march aligns with PrideFest, a free street festival in Greenwich Village featuring exhibitors, entertainers, and various activities. While you're in town, explore the new hotels, Broadway shows, and cultural events happening around the city.

3. Bristol’s July 4 Celebrations, Rhode Island

• When: July 4, 2024

While there are plenty of venues for July 4th celebrations across the United States, Bristol, Rhode Island, stands out with its unique flair. Its parade, established in 1785, holds the title for the oldest continuous Independence Day celebration in the nation, and the festivities kick off more than two weeks prior to the big day. On June 14, a Flag Day Ceremony begins the celebrations, featuring a summer concert series, the Fourth of July Ball, and more. Attendees can expect to see attire inspired by the 18th century, alongside a town crier joining in on Bristol’s lively festivities.

4. San Diego Comic-Con, California

When: July 25–28, 2024

July is the perfect month to pull out your superhero costume and embrace your inner geek at San Diego Comic-Con, a convention that has been thriving for over 60 years. Although the Hollywood strikes in 2023 caused more than two dozen panels to be canceled, this year promises a star-studded lineup for attendees. Previous guests have included the cast of The Avengers, director J.J. Abrams, and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, making it exciting to speculate who might surprise festivalgoers this time. Before you leave, be sure to visit the Comic-Con Museum, which opened in 2021 and highlights the festival's enduring legacy. Upcoming exhibits, such as “Becoming Betty Boop” (debuting June 2024), will delve into the history and transformation of this iconic cartoon character.

5. Mackinac Island Lilac Festival, Michigan

When: June 7–16, 2024

Just as cherry blossoms are a hallmark of Japanese spring travel, lilacs take the spotlight on this Michigan island in June. Over 250 varieties of these pinkish-purple flowers blanket the roughly four-square-mile area, celebrated each year during the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival. For 10 days, visitors can partake in lilac-themed festivities that include the crowning of the Lilac Queen, lilac planting workshops, a cornhole tournament, and a lively parade. While you can admire lilacs throughout this car-free island, prime viewing spots include Marquette Park and the boardwalk stretching from Windermere Point to Mackinac Island Public School, where twisted lilac trunks can be found.

6. Juneteenth Celebrations, Texas

When: June 19, 2024

Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States in 2021, yet its roots trace back to June 19, 1866, in Galveston, Texas, when the news of the Civil War's end reached the city. While cities like Houston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., have joined in the celebrations, Galveston maintains its original traditions. Leading up to the weekend, the island will host its second annual Juneteenth comedy fest at the Galveston Island Convention Center on June 14, followed by a parade and picnic the next day. The main events will occur on June 19, featuring the 45th annual reading of the Juneteenth Proclamation (which marked the freedom of all slaves as per General Orders No. 3), an emancipation march, and celebrations at Reedy Chapel AME, the site of the first Juneteenth festivities.

7. Olympics, France

When: July 26–August 11, 2024; Paralympics from August 28–September 8, 2024

This year, hundreds of thousands of visitors are anticipated in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, followed by the Paralympics kicking off roughly two and a half weeks later. While the event will be broadcasted on television, the atmosphere of in-person celebrations is expected to be particularly vibrant, especially after the restrictions experienced during the last summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festivities will feature iconic Parisian landmarks: The Opening Ceremony will take place along the Seine River, a stunning 12,000-seat outdoor arena next to the Eiffel Tower will host beach volleyball and blind football events, and fencing and tae kwon do competitions will unfold at the Grand Palais. For the first time ever, breakdancing will be included in this year’s lineup, debuting at the Place de la Concorde.

Aside from the quadrennial event, there are many reasons to explore the City of Light, so consider taking a long weekend to indulge in sightseeing and café hopping to enhance your Paris experience.

8. North Sea Jazz Festival, Curaçao

When: August 29–31, 2024

In August, Curaçao offers more than just its beautiful beaches. From August 29 to 31, the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary—returning after a five-year break. Anticipate star-studded performances, with acts in 2024 including Chic, known for the global hit “Le Freak,” salsa sensation Marc Anthony, and Italian singer-songwriter Eros Ramazzotti. While only a few names have been announced so far, many more are expected, as artists will grace the three stages at the World Trade Center Piscadera Bay. Just a 15-minute drive away is Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao; extend your stay by a day or two to delve into the island’s rich history, from its ties to the transatlantic slave trade to its Dutch heritage.

9. Gion Matsuri, Japan

When: July 17 and July 24, 2024

The Gion Matsuri traces its origins back to 869, when Emperor Seiwa commanded offerings to be made at Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine to soothe the gods during an epidemic in Japan's former capital. This purification ritual has been celebrated annually since 970, incorporating various traditions. The festival's highlight is its UNESCO-recognized yamahoko parades (one on July 17 and the other on July 24). During these events, magnificent floats, some towering at 85 feet and weighing over 10 tons, make their way through the streets. Be sure to enjoy the festivities known as Yoiyama held on the three nights leading up to each procession, where locals purchase good-luck charms and savor street food from different areas of Kyoto.

Keep an eye out for signs in the Gion district, as Japan plans to introduce new restrictions for visiting tourists starting in April.